The Messenger

The Messenger, a digital news startup launched in May 2023, abruptly shut down on January 31, 2024, resulting in the layoff of its entire staff. The company, which employed approximately 300 people, was forced to close after failing to secure sufficient funding to reach profitability. Founder Jimmy Finkelstein announced the immediate closure in an email to employees, citing an inability to raise the necessary capital despite exhaustive efforts. The shutdown left staff without severance, with their final paychecks issued on the day of closure. The Messenger, which had aimed to provide non-partisan news coverage, ceased operations less than a year after its high-profile launch, highlighting the financial challenges facing media startups.

The Messenger laid off 24 employees on 2024-01-02.